Freiburg spoil Mainz birthday celebrations

A crucial clash in the race for European qualification saw third-placed Mainz host fifth-placed Freiburg on a special occasion, Mainz’s 120th anniversary, marked by a pristine white commemorative kit. With the stakes high, Mainz looked to dictate the tempo early on, controlling possession and probing Freiburg’s defensive structure.

Their persistence paid off in the 34th minute when Anthony Caci delivered a pinpoint low cross into the six-yard box, finding the ever-reliable Jonathan Burkardt. The Mainz talisman made no mistake, tapping home to send the home crowd into celebration.

Freiburg, however, thought they had a route back into the game just before halftime. A tussle between Dominik Kohr and Lucas Höler inside the box led to an initial penalty decision, but after a lengthy VAR review, the foul was deemed to have occurred just outside. The decision still proved costly for Mainz, as Kohr was shown a straight red card, reducing the hosts to ten men. Vincenzo Grifo stepped up for the resulting free kick, curling an effort toward goal, but Robin Zentner reacted superbly to parry the shot away.

As halftime approached, Freiburg sensed an opportunity against the shorthanded hosts, setting up an intense second half in this battle of European hopefuls.

In the ascendancy, it took Freiburg 12 second-half minutes to find their equaliser. After a fantastic ball from captain Christian Günter, substitute Michael Gregoritsch headed home with precision and power to spoil the Mainz party.

The ten men of Mainz, however, were able to gain back control of the encounter and retook the lead in the 74th minute as Andreas Hanche Olsen headed home after his side gained possession high up, taking advantage of Noah Atubolu seeing the ball fall out of his hands.

Freiburg though, were able to draw themselves level five minutes later as Lukas Kübler tapped home from close range after Ritsu Doan slid the ball across the box to the onrushing right back who netted his 10th career goal in the Bundesliga.

In the closing phase of what had been a tense encounter, both sides searched for a winner, however the scores remained at 2-2, with the result undoubtedly being better for Mainz given the circumstances.

Topics

Mainz up to third in Bundesliga after win at Borussia Mönchengladbach

Mainz has kept up its push for a place in next year’s Champions League with a 3-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach
ABC News - Mar. 7
Leaders Bayern pegged back by Union, third-placed Mainz also held

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich dropped points for the second straight weekend after a lacklustre 1-1 draw at Union Berlin on Saturday. Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who ended Bayern's run of 11 ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Bo Henriksen praises all four of Mainz’s German call-ups: “Recognition for the whole team.”

Mainz 05 head coach Bo Henriksen received a chance to comment on the nomination of two of his players to the German national team on Friday. The respective stories of Jonathan Burkardt and Nadiem ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Loved ones remembered on fifth anniversary of start of Covid

Locally organised events took place across the UK, marking five years since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
BBC News - Mar. 9
European soccer review: England's race for Champions League places is chaos

The races at the top and bottom of the Premier League are largely over, but in the middle? That's wide open. That and more in ESPN's Weekend Review.
ESPN - 9h
Syrians mark anniversary of civil war by celebrating the ouster of Bashar Assad

Thousands of Syrians have poured into the streets and public squares to mark 14 years since the country’s civil war began, the first without Bashar Assad in power
ABC News - 1d
‘Bloody Sunday’ 60th anniversary marked in Selma with remembrances and concerns about the future

The annual commemoration of the event paid homage to those who fought to secure voting rights for Black Americans and brought calls to recommit to the fight for equality.
NBC News - Mar. 9
Tibetans scuffle with police outside Chinese Embassy in India on uprising anniversary

Dozens of Tibetan protesters have clashed with police outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi as Tibetans living in exile mark the 66th anniversary of their uprising against China
ABC News - 6d
John Lennon celebrated on new Imagine coin

The coin, marking what would have been John Lennon's 85th birthday, recognises his legacy.
BBC News - 3d

Freiburg spoil Mainz birthday celebrations

Topics

Related

Mainz up to third in Bundesliga after win at Borussia Mönchengladbach

Leaders Bayern pegged back by Union, third-placed Mainz also held

Bo Henriksen praises all four of Mainz’s German call-ups: “Recognition for the whole team.”

Loved ones remembered on fifth anniversary of start of Covid

European soccer review: England's race for Champions League places is chaos

Syrians mark anniversary of civil war by celebrating the ouster of Bashar Assad

‘Bloody Sunday’ 60th anniversary marked in Selma with remembrances and concerns about the future

Tibetans scuffle with police outside Chinese Embassy in India on uprising anniversary

John Lennon celebrated on new Imagine coin

More from Yahoo Sports

How Louisville and Kentucky basketball experience compare to recent NCAA Tournament teams

March Madness 2025 will include these former Kentucky high school basketball stars

Vote for Louisville-area girls basketball Player of the Year before polls close Thursday

Vote for Louisville-area boys basketball Player of the Year before polls close Thursday

Start time, TV channel announced for Alabama vs. Robert Morris NCAA Tournament game

More in Sports

How Louisville and Kentucky basketball experience compare to recent NCAA Tournament teams

March Madness 2025 will include these former Kentucky high school basketball stars

Vote for Louisville-area girls basketball Player of the Year before polls close Thursday

Vote for Louisville-area boys basketball Player of the Year before polls close Thursday

Start time, TV channel announced for Alabama vs. Robert Morris NCAA Tournament game